Who is Edward Austen from Jane Austen's Letters and what is their importance?

Edward Austen was George and Cassandra's third son. He was adopted by Thomas Knight II. Thomas Knight II was a distant cousin, who had no children and therefore no heir. After Thomas Knight II's death, Edward inherited three estates: Steventon, Chawton and Godmersham. Edward married Elizabeth Bridges on December 27, 1791. The couple had six sons and five daughters. Edward Austen finally took his adoptived surname in 1812, changing his and his children's last names to "Knight". After his wife's death, Edward spent most of his time in Chawton, where he also provided his mother and sister with a cottage near the estate. Edward Austen died on November 19, 1852.